Parenting is hard work. Talking to children on difficult topics can be one of the hardest parts. It can be difficult for children to understand why Mr.Teddy Bear was eaten by the washer, and it’s not even the worst topic to talk about. Their bike could have been stolen. It can be frustrating and hard to discuss the most serious subjects like violence, racism and drug use. In the age of mobile phone notifications, streaming video, and mobile phone notifications, it is vital to talk about this topic. Even children as young can be exposed to disturbing stories at times. If you can deal with the difficult stuff, it will help your children feel more secure. It helps build a loving and strong family, as well as educate them about the world. They will learn how to understand and read information, ask queries and cross-check the source. Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture. It is possible to help children develop compassion, knowledge, and character to make the world better.
When your kids find out about something terrifying or unsettling like a mass shooting for example, or a suicide on a big television show, or explicit porn via an innocuous Google search — most parents will tend to feel lost. Talking to your children about the stages of their life and their ages is a great idea. Children learn differently from infants to teenagers. For instance, young children may be more literal than adults.
It is important to understand how they perceive each stage of life so that you can better communicate with them. Each child is special. Each child is different. Each child is unique. To decide how far to go, you need to be able to assess your child’s ability to absorb and process information.
Experts from https://write-my-speech.com/ prepared a short guide on how to speak with children of different ages on tough topics.
Toddlers and preschoolers
Children are not old enough to understand complicated concepts. They don’t grasp abstract concepts or cause and effect. They are most focused on their primary relationships. This includes their parents, their siblings, their dog and other family members. They may feel sensitive to their parents’ emotions, and wonder what caused them to be upset. Complex problems may be difficult to explain. They are more likely to not be reported on by the media than any other issues.
- No distractions
Speak when TV is off and make speaking comfortable.
- Your child can be comforted by your words and actions.
- Learn more about the abilities and knowledge of your children.
Your children might not be familiar with the subject. Ask your children to explain what they think happened.
- Reduce complex issues to their most basic elements.
- Be aware of your biases.
It is possible to use vocabulary and ideas that they already have. You can use a story from their past that they can relate to.
School age from 7 to 12
These children are better at reading and creating. These children might not be able to tell the difference between true or false. Children will be able to partially think abstractly. This will help children gain practical experience in real life and help them understand difficult topics.
- Wait until the right moment
- Learn about your children’s knowledge in subject
- Ask questions and be clear. But don’t over explain. They may be scared.
- Make safe space
This is important to make sure that the topic can be discussed in a safe setting. Tell “I’m open to answering any questions you may have”.
- It is important to understand context and perspective.
- Answer their questions
- Take into account the emotions and temperaments of your children
It’s not unusual for children to feel upset. Ask your child about how it feels. Ask your child what it’s like. It’s wrong for someone not to get the right education and treatment. Where are you at the moment?
- Encourage critical thinking
- Always look for the positives
Teens
Teens can interact, create, read, and share their media. It’s also possible to share it as comments, videos or memes. Teens are constantly exposed to sensitive topics through news, games, chats, and social networks. Your opinion is often more important than theirs. They will scroll down articles to see user comments. They don’t want to hear lectures. Encourage them to explore their ideas and ask questions.
- Encourage open dialogue
- Ask them open-ended questions to get their feedback
- You should share your values
- Talk about “their information.”
TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube are all well-known for sharing content that is shared with friends. Find info here to speak language understandable for teens.
- Ask them what their plans are for handling difficult situations
- Encourage them to consider solutions
